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hello stranger midwest adventure

  • Arches & Canyonlands National Parks (Epic Utah Road Trip!)

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  • image of sunset from the Needles Overlook near Moab

    11 Best Hiking Trails In Moab, Utah (Arches & Waterfalls!!!)

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  • image of a hiker in canyonlands national park near needles

    13 Best Things to do Moab, Utah (Budget Guide!)

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  • a hiker in the desert of Canyonlands National Park, Utah

    Desert Hiking Guide (How to Pack & Know Before You Go!)

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  • Havasupai 2025 Packing List (Ultralight & Flying In!)

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  • Best Hiking near Las Vegas: Desert Spring Break!

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  • How to Backpack Havasupai in Supai, AZ (Havasu Falls Trail)

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hello stranger // about me

Hi there, and welcome to Hello Stranger. My name is Maddy, and I'm the voice behind the blog. I'm a writer, paddler, photographer, traveller, and freelance editor. I'm committed to exploring the beautiful American Midwest to prove that you can find real adventure anywhere! Toss your email below to keep up with the adventure!

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maddymarq

guide & writer exploring the midwest🏕
📍Wisconsin Northwoods
inquiries: hello@madelinemarquardt.com
↓ FREE exploring the Midwest eBooks ↓
Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupi Backpacking the Porkies🥾🏕️🏔️ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a great spot for beginner friendly wilderness backpacking (think no cell service, but options for easier routes). Currently an area just outside the Porkies is the site of a proposed mine that could put the environment and Lake Superior’s waters at risk. Learn more and stay up to date on developments @protect_the_porkies 📍Traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve logged off lately☀️🌊>📱💤 1-7: I’ve worked this stretch of shoreline as a sea kayaking guide on and off since 2018. This summer will be my first in a while easing off guiding and into full time writing which is so wonderful!! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the islands and paddling as a paddler and someone who loves the outdoors, and not just as a guide working. There’s something really wonderful about doing things just for the joy of it, and I want that back. [new @aquabound tetra on my deck was gifted! As pretty as she looks on my deck, it’s a great paddle so more likely to end up in my hands!] 8- I’ve been getting back into running and it’s been hard. Rewarded myself with some shorts that don’t cut into my skin and some non-stained sports bras. (See previous post for a wholeeeee story on the running thing) 9-10: a walk in the woods 11- plant propagations 12- taking @paddlingmagazine out for a paddle :)
Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where a Lake Superior summer loading✨🌅🏕️ where are you headed this summer? 1- A lake up the Gunflint Trail 2- Stockton Island 3- the Porkies 4- Lovers Leap Arch 5- the North Shore 6- prep day 7- Palisade Head 8- my favorite island 9- the trail 10- Devils Island (actually isn’t my favorite!!) 11- Michigan moment 12- camped out 13- a small sea cave 📍traditional and cultural homelands of the Anishinaabe Nation
How do you get back into running?🤷🏼‍♀️ How do you get back into running?🤷🏼‍♀️ one step at a time I guess #running #essay #outdoors
Unconventional ways I’ve saved money🤷🏼‍♀️ Definetly these wouldn’t work for everyone, but this is how I got a start working as a freelance writer/photographer and outdoor influencer. Everyone’s path in creative fields always looks super different, but I think sometimes it can be helpful to hear what people did to get there. For me I think the biggest thing was when I realized I wanted to work as a writer, I just started writing and kept writing, and kept putting myself out there. Ultimately the best thing you can do is just start, and work with what you have in front of you.
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